In just six months, 100 leading
organizations from across the
construction supply chain have
committed to Waste & Resources
Action Programme (WRAP) Halving
Waste to Landfill voluntary
agreement, indicating that resource
efficiency remains a priority
despite the recession.

With the construction sector
currently sending some 25 million
tons of waste to landfill every
year, the growing number of
signatories suggests mounting
recognition of the economic
and environmental case for change.

“Confirmation in the Budget for 2009
that landfill tax will continue to increase
year-on-year gives an added incentive
to this collaborative effort to reduce
the amount of construction waste sent
to landfill,” comments Nick Raynsford,
chair of the Strategic Forum for Construction.
“The industry’s response to WRAP’s Halving
Waste to Landfill commitment is encouraging
and demonstrates a clear understanding
that the cost savings that sustainable
working can deliver are critical in
a challenging economic climate.“

Marcus Gover, director of market development
at WRAP emphasized the importance of
signatories now delivering against their
commitment: “By launching this commitment
in October 2008, WRAP created a framework
to support the entire construction supply
chain in reaping the significant economic
and environmental benefits that come
from increased waste reduction. Signing
up is just the beginning – signatories
are setting targets and reporting progress
year on year. WRAP provides practical
support to ensure that all signatories
have the tools and support they need
to deliver against the waste reduction
targets – benchmarking, measurement
and reporting are key.”